Container Terminal Set For Expanson 30-May-2015
Visakha Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd (VCTPL) will finalise a consultant of international repute for designing layout and construction of a world-class berth as part of extension of the existing container terminal.
VCTPL CEO Sushil Mulchandani has told The Hindu that in all probability they will finalise the tenders by August and launch construction either by year-end or early January, 2016. The new project will be operational in mid-2017 with a capacity to handle 0.54 million TEU taking VCTPL’s total capacity to 1.2 million TEU.
VCTPL, which developed the existing all-weather terminal with a deep draught after signing a concession agreement with Visakhapatnam Port Trust for 30 years on June 26, 2003, will spend around Rs.820 crore on the expansion project. Originally the project was estimated to cost Rs.633.11 crore.

IndusInd Bank Branch In Vizag 30-May-2015
IndusInd Bank opened a new branch at Dwarakanagar here, the fiifth in the city and twentieth in the State, on Friday, according to a press release. It was inaugurated by the project director of the District Rural Development Agency, Satya Sai Srinivas. Soumitra Sen, the head of branch expansion division, said the bank would open more branches in Andhra Pradesh during the current financial year and make inroads into the market.

Birds In Zoo Find A New Home 30-May-2015
It is an intrinsic nature of birds to dash off to the skies once out of the cage or enclosure. However, at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park a peculiar phenomenon is being witnessed over the past seven months. When the enclosure of the painted storks, grey herons and pelicans in the city zoo was severely devastated on the fateful day of October 12 after the very severe cyclone Hudhud wrought havoc, the zoo officials thought they had lost the birds that flew away from the broken mesh.
However, it was after a few weeks that they noticed the avian creatures perched up on a few tall trees and atop high mesh enclosures of other animals that survived the cyclone. Months later, good news has come in an unexpected way for the zoo officials. The birds have not only made nesting zones in some of the undisturbed open areas within the zoo, but were also successfully breeding this season. “There are around 40 such birds that flew away from the damaged aviary enclosure and have nested and recently bred in open spaces in the zoo. After the cyclone, we could capture only half the birds and have kept them in a separate enclosure. But interestingly, many of the free birds have now become resident species despite of being in the open,” says zoo curator G. Ramalingam.

AP Gov.To Develop Floriculture 29-May-2015
Andhra pradesh government plans to increase flower cultivation on a mission mode and identify the places in Visakhapatnam District with an aim to generate more income through flower cultivation, Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao said.
Mr Krishna Rao, held a meeting today with the officers of various departments of Forest, Tribal Welfare, Marketing to discuss the development of Floriculture in AP and possibilities of taking up Floriculture in Visakhapatnam District.
It is decided to explore seriously the possibilities of commercially growing floriculture in Araku area, where coffee is grown since the climatic conditions required for coffee production and floriculture are similar, Chief Secretary informed.
Advisor, Agriculture Marketing Mr Krishna Rao informed that there are number of people with right expertise in Bengaluru, especially managing I-FAB and their assistance can be taken to go further with this programme.
Chief Secretary has issued instructions to get a full scale Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared for taking up floriculture project here.

To Beat Heat, Vizagities Hit Beach 29-May-2015
People in Visakhapatnam flocked to a beach on Thursday to get some respite from the scorching summer heat.
Unable to bear the hot winds and the humidity, a lot of tourists are heading to the beaches to get away from the warm temperatures.
"Night time also the temperatures are very high. So, early in the mornings and late nights, are better, and because of the heat, as the death rates have increased, people are feeling troubled also. So, some
of the people who are wanting to enjoy have come out to the beach to chill out," said Priyadarshini, a tourist.
"For the last one week, we are suffering a lot due to the heat wave. Mercury is soaring. Pets, children and grandparents are suffering a lot because of the heat wave. Even we can see a simple person sitting in the home, sweating a lot due to dehydration Night time also because of the power cuts. This is creating a lot of problems for households and to family members This summer is the worst summer ever seen by the Vizag people," said Hari, a resident.
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have also cancelled doctors' leave and advised people not to head outside in the middle of the day to avoid the worst of the heat. However for many Indians, staying indoors is not an option.

IBM-Port Deal With Natural Calamity 28-May-2015
IT giant IBM has come forward to help the Port City deal with natural calamities as part of its Smart City Challenge programme and will prepare a detailed disaster mitigation report (DMT) by September. IBM has taken up this challenge in 16 cities across the globe.
Additional joint collector D Venkata Rao convened a meet at the collectorate here on Wednesday where IBM CSR head Mamta Sharma said they had taken up this programme in Surat, Allahabad and Visakhapatnam. The meeting was attended by district administrative officials and representatives of various local bodies, including the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
The IT giant will study in detail the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud by interacting with various stakeholders and make recommendations by September, before which experts from all over the world will incorporate various ideas to come up with a full-fledged DMT.

Expedite Work On Vizag Air Cargo 28-May-2015
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry should take steps to expedite the work on the construction of an air cargo terminal at Visakhapatnam port, as the pharma sector and others are forced to route their exports through Chennai and Hyderabad for want of the facility here.
The plea was made in a representation given to the Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry here on Monday evening by the Federation of Andhra Chambers of Commerce. The panel was headed by Chandan Mitra, of the BJP, and the local member of Parliament, K. Haribabu (BJP), is also a member of it.
G. Sambasiva Rao, the vice-president of the federation and also the MD of Sravan Shipping, said facilities should also be developed at the Vizag airport for import and export of gold and silver.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) should be set up here as promised by the minister as well as the Indian Institute of Packaging. A major grant of ₹100 crores or so should be given to Vizag to construct convention centres and other iconic structures here to promote investment, he pleaded.

Oil Spillage Threat-Sunken Sagar 28-May-2015
An ocean research and survey vessel from Chennai has been lying partially submerged in the coastal waters near the Fishing Harbour since Cyclone Hudhud struck the city on October 12, 2014, triggering apprehensions among city environmental organisations about oil spillage in the future.
Even though the central government institute, Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), which owns the ship, had intimated the ministry concerned about the incident, bureaucratic clearances and coordination among various government departments and ministries has led to delays in salvaging the vessel even seven months after it got partly submerged.
The research and survey vessel - CRV Sagar Paschimi, measuring 30.1 x 6.6 metres was acquired by the Union ministry of earth sciences. The vessel, like its counterpart Sagar Purvi, was meant for monitoring the waters off the coast, studying pollution, as well as collecting biological and chemical samples for lab analysis. Due to the rough seas during Cyclone Hudhud, the vessel had drifted and gotten half submerged in the waters near the coast. Its 12 crew members fortunately escaped from the boat during the cyclone.

Walmart To Open Best Price Store 27-May-2015
Walmart India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc, will open two new ‘Best Price Modern Wholesale’ stores in Vizag and Ludhiana. The Vizag store will be the fourth such in Andhra Pradesh and Ludhiana will be Walmart India’s sixth store in Punjab.
Best Price stores in Andhra Pradesh are based in Guntur, Rajahmundry, Vijaywada. In Punjab, they are in Amritsar, Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Zirakpur.
Walmart India owns and operates 20 Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in nine states across India.

Special Trains Between Hyd And Viz 27-May-2015
The SCR will run a pair of special trains between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam via Guntur division.
Train No-02728 Secunderabad - Visakhapatnam special will depart from Secunderabad at 9.40 p.m. on May 29 and arrive at Visakhapatnam at 11.30 a.m. on May 30.
In the return direction, the train departs from Vizag at 7 p.m. on May 30 and arrives at Secunderabad at 9.15 a.m.
The trains will have 15 coaches, including nine sleeper, one II tier AC and III tier AC class, two general second and two sleeper reservation coaches.